Foldable cardboard display carton



March 1, 1938. R. b. FOSS FOLDABLE CARDBOARD DISPLAY CARTON Filed Jan. 5, 1937 2 SheetsShee.t l

||||IIIIllllllllllllllllllhlll|l|||||||I||| II I ll l lill A iibrneys March 1, 1938. R. D. FOSS FOLDABLE CARDBOARD DISPLAY CARTON Filed Jan. 5, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 wagz ih Attorneys Patented Mar. 1, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to display cartons in general, and has more specific reference to a foldable cardboard box of a cellular type express- 1y, but not necessarily, adapted for packaging 5 fruit and vegetables.

As implied by the preceding introductory paragraph, the invention came into being as the result of a conception calculated to expedite the handling and sale of fruits and vegetables, particu- 10 larly so-called white potatoes. In reducing the invention to practice, I evolved and produced a simple and inexpensive cardboard carton susceptible of being readily assembled on the premises in a manner to permit different grades of se- 15 lected potatoes to be systematically arranged to promote eifective display, and to thereafter serve as a convenient package for handling and transportation by the purchaser.

Knowing, however, that display cartons and 20 boxes of various types have been patented and marketed, and being generally conversant with the prior state of the art to which the invention relates, I am called upon to admit, at the outset, that the invention, structurally speaking, has to do with the specific construction of features mutually cooperating in providing what is believed to be a specifically new folding box or carton.

Other features and advantages may become apparent from the following description and drawmgs.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the views:

35 Figure 1 is a plan view, partly of a fragmentary nature, showing the fiat cardboard blank from which the essential body of the carton is formulated.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional View, with portions in dotted lines, showing the complete carton set up for use.

Figure 3 is an end view, in elevation, of the assemblage seen in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of 45 one of the detachable end members.

The elongated or rectangular cardboard box comprises what may be designated as a central section or sector 5 which forms the bottom of the box. Joined to this are companion members 6 of 5 duplicate type which when folded into place form the longitudinal sides of the box. The sides 6 are provided with foldable extensions, that is, extensions 1 foldable on the lines 8, these being proportioned as shown in Figure 3 to form the 55 two-part lid of the box. The bottom portion 5 is also provided with end extensions 9 which form the end walls, and these in turn are provided with foldable terminals H! which constitute the reinforcing flaps underlying the lid-forming flaps I. The manner of folding the parts into box- 5 forming relationship is quite evident by considering the blank in Figure 1 in conjunction with the completed box appearing in Figures 2 and 3. The complete box includes suitable ventilating holes H, and a plurality of detachable parts. 10

The detachable end members are denoted by the numerals l2, and these correspond in shape and proportion to the end walls 9. In fact, they serve to hold the end walls in folded position, and are therefore provided at opposite ends with extension lugs 13 having tongues l4, said tongues constituting hooks and being interlocked with complemental tongues IS on the extensions 16 provided on opposite ends of the side walls 6. The extensions or tongues l5 form keeper seats or 20 notches l1, into which the interlocking tongues I4 fit, as depicted to advantage in Figure 3.

It will also be observed that the side walls are provided with pairs of aligned slots l8 which may be called keeper slots. These are adapted to accommodate hooked tongues (not shown) on the removable central divider or' partition I9. The tongues just referred to correspond in arrangement and configuration to the tongues I4 depicted in Figure 4, as is obvious.

It follows that by using one or more of these removable partitions l9, it is possible to divide the finished box into individual compartments to hold graded, properly washed, and otherwise conditioned,.potatoes or the like, for display and sale purposes.

As is evident, and structurally speaking, novelty is apparently evident in the adoption and use of a cardboard blank of the style seen in Figure 1, characterized by the distinguishable features forming the bottom 5, the upturned bendable end walls 9, with their inturned topping flaps ID, the associated spaced parallel side walls 6 with their lid-forming flaps I, in conjunction with the interlocking hooked tongues and extensions enabling the end members l2 to maintain the end walls 9 properly assembled. Further novelty may be found, it is believed, in the simple lid closure comprising the adjoining 0r abutting flaps I and the underlying flaps l0 carried by the bendable end walls 9. Then, too, there is a semblance of novelty, it is believed, in the provision of a properly ventilated box characterized by top, side and end walls, with the side walls having opposed pairs of slots 18 to accommodate detachable retention tongues on the ends of the partitioning or divider elements l9.

It is thought that the description taken in con nection with the drawings will enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

I claim:

A foldable carton of the class described comprising a bottom and side and end walls, said side and end walls being connected with the bottom by fold lines, projections at each end of each side wall, spaced apart and each having a tongue at one end spaced from the end of the walls, said projections extending beyond the outer faces of the end walls, a separate pair of end members for fitting over the end walls, each member having projections at itsside edges and each projection having a tongue at one end thereof spaced from the side edge of the member, the tongues of the members interlocking with the tongues of the side walls to hold said side walls and the end walls in upright position and enabling said walls to be knocked down when the members are released from the projections of the side walls.

ROBERT D. FOSS. 

